Newspaper and magazine vending machine



Filed March 11, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 h 79 F: 2:51 :T: 7y Inn/Q1551:

2o (or w. c. RICEI 2,220,175

Filed March 11, 1938 3 SheetsSheet 2 i l l l I \l v I l u l I l I F 1 .u-11= Nov. 5, 1940.

NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE VENDING MACHINE Nov. 5, 1940. w ,R,' E 2,220,175

NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE VENDING MACHINE Filed March 11, 1938 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 5, 1940 'UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcr.

NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE VENDING MACHINE Wallace 0. Rice, Bridgeton, N. J.j Application March 11, 1938, Serial-No.195,246 Claims. (01. 312-57 Myinvention relates to a machine more espein the plane of one oftheslotways which is posicially adapted for vending newspapers andmagationed to receive a coin.

zines through the operation of a lever operable FigureQ is a similarview showing the slotway upon the insertion of a proper coin or coins;that closed. v a 5 is to say, the machine preferably involves a num- Themachine may consist of a single unit or 5 ber of units for newspapersand for different of any desired number of units as illustrated in sizedmagazines, each unit being adapted or ad- Figure 1 with each unitadapted to vend a difjusted to newspapers, or to magazines, of subferentsized newspaper and/or magazine and the n stantially equal size andsalable at the same (a coin receiving and operating mechanisms adlogiven) price.

One object of the invention is the provision of The mechanisms in eachunit are identical and coin controlled mechanism which may be readilytheir operations are similanso that description adjusted by the venderto merely receive a coin of a single unit (which constitutes a completeor coins of a preselected size and which may be machine) will sufliceT1? easily regulated to move into lever releasing posi The machine may bemade of metal, Wood, or

tion upon the introduction of a coin or coins of any other suitablerigid material, and of crosspred'etermined weight; said mechanisminvolvsectional configuration suited to the newspapers ing a number ofregulable coin receiving slots and or magazines to be vended; therespective units an adjustable oounterpoise whereby the same unit I0,IinFigure L'being arranged in superposed and -30 may be readily adapted todifferent priced newsback-to-back relation and each unit preferablypapers or magazines. provided at the forward end with a hinged lid I IAnother object of the invention is the provision provided: with glasspanels; suitable locking of mechanism whereby the newspapers ormagameans being, provided to prevent improper access.

zines are forced toward the delivery opening and The front wall of theunit preferably is arranged the foremost newspaper or magazine isseparated at a slope as shown to accommodate the verticalfrom theremainder and released through the ly arranged newspapersormagazineswhich are delivery opening. arranged with the folded or boundedges down- The invention also has for its object the prowardly, asshown at A in Figure 3--and alsosprovision of a machine which iscomparatively simple vide for a discharge opening adjacent the front soin construction and positive in operation and of the casing andcontrolled by a downwardly atthe same time not expensive in manufacture.opening door l2.

The objects and advantages of my invention The bottom of the casing ispreferably prowill all be more readily comprehended from the vided witha pair of laterally spaced paper supdetailed description of theaccompanying drawporting brackets l3, 13 adapted to present smooth ings,wherein: and comparatively narrow surfaces to the edges Figure 1 is aperspective view of the upper porof the newspapers or magazines toeliminate frictic-n of the machine, illustrating a number of tion andallow the pap Slide ye superposed units: and units arranged in back tonewspapers or magazines, as previously stated,

backrelation. I are arranged with the folded or bound edges Figure 2 isa sectional elevation of one unit of resting on the slideways orbrackets l3; the 40 the machine with thefront wall removed. new p p rsor magazines being p ed f rw rdly Figure 3 is a verticalsectional viewtaken subthrough h action of a follower p at M w ich stantially on theline 3 3 of Figure 2, looking i supported and Controlled y a p i of pr nin the direction of the arrows. l5, IS. The springs l5, iii arepreferably of the Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken sublong armtype shown in Figure 2 so as to exert 45 stantially on the line 4-4 ofFigure 2, looking substantially equal pressure at all timesyone armdownwardly, p I M of each spring I5 being secured to the rear wallFigure 5 is a perspective view of one of the of the casing by suitablebrackets as at l6, while control fingers shown in Figure 4. the otherarm of each spring is secured to the Figure 6 is a vertical sectionalview taken on rear face of the follower or pressure plate l4 by 50 theline B-6 of Figure 2, looking in the direction suitable brackets as atl1, see Figure 3; the brackof the arrows. ets l6 and I1 being such thata wide bearing for Figure 7 is a perspective View, partly in section,the ends of the springs is provided to prevent imof the coin receivingslotways. proper twisting.

figure; Saisalcrossesectionaliviewl of. same taken Arranged intermediateof the slideways or sup- 55 justed to the required sizes and weights ofcoins. l0

with a supporting plate or bracket 2|, provided with upstanding lobes22, 22, to which fingers l8, l8 are pivotally secured intermediate oftheir ends as shown at 23, 23 in Figure 4, so as to permit the fingersto rock vertically. The bracket 2| is also provided with an upstandinglobe 24 to which a rocker bar 25 is pivotally secured intermediate ofits ends as shown in Figure 4by bearing 26. The rocker bar 25 iscontrolled by an arm 28, fixedly secured to'the drop door I2 the arm 28preferably having slot and pinconnection with one end of rocker bar 25,see Figure 3. It is apparent from this construction, that when door I2is swung downwardly, arm 28 will tilt the adjacent end of the rocker bar25 upwardly and move the opposite end of bar 25 downwardly; the rockerbar 25 tilting about the pin or screw 26. l

i The ends of the horizontally disposed rocker bar 25 are' each providedwith a pair of-laterally disposed spherical extensions 29, see Figure 4,which are adapted to extend into suitable slots or sockets 30, formed atthe inner ends of the fingers I8, I 8 and '|9, I9; the construction ofthese fingersbeing substantially identical and more clearly disclosed inFigure 5.

Arranged adjacent the rocker bar 25 and the fingers l8 and I9 are a pairof arcuate adjusting arms or curved members 3|, 3| pivotally secured,intermediate of their ends at 32, to the plate or bracket 2|, so as topermit these arms to be oscillated in a horizontal direction. The outerends of these arms 3|, 3| are shown provided with a 45 pair of parallelears 33, spaced to receive the fingers |9, |9 therebetween; the fingers9, l9 being pivotally secured to the ears 33 at 34 so as to permit thefingers l9 to oscillate in a vertical direction; the arms 3| and fingersI9 being sufficiently spaced to permit the desired oscillation. Theinner ends of the arms 3|, 3| are arranged in lapping'relation and eachprovided with a slot as shown in Figure 4 to receive a pin 35 carried byangle plate 36, which in turn is controlled by thumb-screw 31 secured inthe rear wall of the housing 2|]. Upon rotating thumb-screw 37, angleplate'36 is caused to ridelengthwise of the thumb-screw and by reason ofpin 35 the arms 3 3| will both be simultaneously oscillated on theirpivot'points 32, 32 so as either to move their outer ends (and hencefingers l9, l9) nearer to or farther away from fingers l8, l8, dependingon the direction of rotation of the thumb-screw 31. As is apparent fromthe construction just described, the spacing between the outerupstanding ends of the fingers l8 and I9 may be regulated to thethickness of the newspapers or magazines to be dispensed.

Assuming that the spacing between the fingers l8 and |9 as shown inFigure 4 is just suifioient for passage of the usual weekly newspaper,in order to adapt the machine to the bulkier Sunday newspaper, theoperator will turn the thumbscrew 31 in the direction which causes angleplate 36 to ridetoward the end of the thumb-screw 3 ing controlled bydownwardly swinging door |2 when the latter has been opened by themechanism later to be described.

One side of the main casing is shown provided with a vertical partition38 spaced from the side wall of the main casing to provide a compartmentfor the coin controlled operating mechanism.

The outer wall of the casing and near the top is provided with apredetermined sized opening or, if desired, slots as shown at 39 inFigures 1 and 6; and secured to the partition 38, or to the main casingcoincident with the opening or slots 39, is a cylindrical shell 46 witha segmental cutout or opening 4| arranged coincident and coextensivewith the opening or slots 39 in the casing; the shell 40 beingnon-rotatably secured in place. Telescopically arranged on thecylindrical shell 46 are a predetermined number of circular bands, asfor example shown at 42, 43, 44 and 45; each provided with a slot orcut-away portion 46 of prearranged width and length adapted forinsertion of a coin of a given denomination. That is to say, the slot orcut-away portion 46 of band 42, for example, may be of vertical andcircumferential dimensions just suificient to receive a quarter ortwenty-five cent piece; the slot 46 of band '43 just sufiicient forinsertion of a dime; the slot 46 of band 44 just sufficient forinsertion of a five cent piece; and the slot 46 of band 45 arranged toreceive a one-cent piece. It will be understood, of course, that thenumber and particular arrangement of the bands may be varied in keepingwith the needs and prices of the papers or magazines that are to bedispensed. These bands are intended to be rotated on the inner shell sothat the desired slot or slots 46 may be in proper register with thecut-away portion 4|, while other slots 46 will be out of register. Eachband is provided with a finger piece or binding screw 4'! which isadapted to effect binding relation with the inner shell 40 and therebyprevent unauthorized manipulation of the bands; the finger pieces 41being located within the machine 'where unauthorized access cannot behad.

The shell 40 is open at the bottom and disposed about the shell is achute or coin slideway 48 provided with a downwardly disposed orifice asshown in Figure 6.

Secured to the casing wall and to the partition 38 is a knife-edgefulcrum member 49 (see Figure 6) on which the beam member 50 of asuitable balance mechanism is fulcrumed; the beam 50 preferably being inthe nature of spaced apart parallel bars in order to prevent sidewisetilting of the beam (see Figure 2) and this beam at one end is providedwith a coin receiving pocket 5| provided with a downwardly openingbottom 52 pivoted at 53. The bottom 52 is provided with an upstandingside 54 which may constitute one wall of the pocket; and the ends of thebottom forming sheet are bent downwardly to provide a pair of parallellyarranged and spaced apart depending wings 55 provided with atransversely arranged rod or pin 56.

The bottom 52 is held in closed position by a suitable spring 51 securedto the upstanding side 54 and to thebeam memberv 50.

The opposite end of the beam member 50 has a counterweight and latchmember 58 pivotally secured thereto.

The beam member 50 is provided with a slidable counterpoise 59 whichconsists of a metal block of predetermined weight and preferablyarranged to straddle'and slide on both bars of the beam 50, as shown inFigure 2.

The position of the counterpoise 59 is controlled by the link 60 whoseopposite end is pivotally connected with an arm 6| which is fixedlysecured to a pin 62 which is disposed through partition 38 and theopposite end of pin 62 provided with a finger 63, shown in dotted linesin Figure 6 and accessible to the vendor from the paper holdingcompartment of the machine when the main door H is opened for theinsertion of. the papers or magazines.

The partition 38 may be provided with a scale or with a series of holesas at 64 arranged adjacent the tip of finger 63; the scale orarrangement of the holes being provided to aid the vendor in obtainingthe correct position of the counterpoise 59 for operation of the balancemechanism when a coin or coins of given weight are inserted through theslot regulating means heretofore described. In order that accidentalshifting of the finger 63 may be prevented, the finger may be providedwith a small pin adapted to enter the selected hole 64, or othersuitable means may be employed.

In order to limit the degree of movement of the beam 50, the partition38 is provided with a stop pin 65 which prevents the too far upward 40swing of the coin pocket end of the beam and a second stop pin 66 whichprevents the too far upward movement of the counterbalance end of thebeam. I

Pivotally mounted on the partition, in the path 95 of the downwardlyswinging pocket, is a hookshaped lever 61, whose one endis pivotallyconnected to a link 68 which in turn is pivotally connected with arocker plate 69 which is fixedly secured to a shaft which extends to theex- 50 terior of. the main casing and is there provided with a pulllever 1 I, see Figure 2.

The rocker plate 69 is intended to rock or tilt toward the right inFigure 6, and is returned to the normal position shown in Figure 6 by a55 suitable spring 12.

Adjustably secured to the upper end of rocker plate 69 is an upstandingmember 13 which extends into the plane of the lower end ofcounterbalance member 58 when the balance mechanism has not beenprovided with coins of the preselected weight determined by thepositioning of the counterpoise 59 as heretofore described. With themechanism in the condition illustrated in Figure 6, it is impossible tooperate the pull 5 lever H because member 13, secured to rocker plate69, cannot pass counterbalance member 58; the latter being held againstoscillatory movement in one direction by the stop plate 14, secured tothe partition 38, and by a stop pin W0 against movement in the otherdirection.

Pivotally secured to the forward end of rocker plate 69 is a link 16,whose other end is secured to an upwardly disposed end or flange ll ofthe drop door l2 at the delivery opening of the ma- 715 chine.

Any suitable means or receptacle may be provided to receive the coinsdischarged from the coin pocket 5| of the balance mechanism, as forexample shown at I8; and the partition 38 provided with an openingthrough which the coin receptacle [8 may be withdrawn by an authorizedindividual.

In practice, the vendor initially regulates the spacing between fingersl 8 and 19 in keeping with the thickness of the folded papers to bedispensed and then inserts the uniformly folded newspapers on theslideway or brackets l3, l3 with their folded edges downward, as shownin Figure 3.

With drop door I2 normally in closed position as shown in Figures 3 and6, the position of fingers l8, l8 and l9, [9 will be as indicated inFigures 2 and 3, namely with the tips of fingers l8, l8 disposedupwardly into the path of the newspapers as shown in Figure 3 and thushold the papers against further movement to the left in Figure 3 inducedby the pressure of the spring controlled follower plate l4.

While the tips of fingers l8, l8 are in the holding position mentioned,the tips of fingers l9, l9 are in retracted or lowered position and in avertical plane immediately rearward of the rear side of thefirstnewspaper of the lot, as shown in Figure 3.

The vendor at the time of loading the machine also adjusts the coinslots to the size of coin or coins of proper denomination and alsoadjusts finger or indicator 63 at the point of the scale or designatedhole 64 so as to position the counterpoise 59 so that the beam 50 willnot tilt until a coin or coins of proper weight have been introduced.

With the paper control fingers l8, I8 and I9, I 9, the coin slot bands,and the counterpoise mechanism all adjusted as just stated and thenewspapers inserted as described, the machine is in condition forvending and the main door II, of course, is closed.

Upon insertion of the proper coin or coins, the latter will drop intopocket 5| of the balance mechanism and cause the beam 50 to tiltdownwardly Where the pin or rod 56 secured to the depending flanges ofthe pocket-bottom will be in position to be engaged by hook-lever 61when the purchaser operates pull lever ll. Beam 50 having been tilted asjust described, causes counterweight latch member 58 to be raised out ofthe path of upstanding bar 13, thus enabling the purchaser to operatelever H. The downward oscillatory movement of lever it rotates shaft IIIand causes plate 69 to oscillate with it, thereby opening the deliverydoor l2, which in turn causes a tilting of rocker bar 25 in such mannerthat the tips of fingers l8, 18 will be retracted out of contact withthe foremost paper and at the same time move the tips of fingers 9, i9upwardly into the path of the second newspaper so as to hold the latterand the succeeding papers against movement toward the discharge opening;the foremost paper at this time having been allowed to dropthrough thedischarge opening at the forward lower side of the machine. Uponreleasing lever 71, the mechanism is immediately returned to normalposition through the action of the spring F2; at which time door 18, i9actuated thereby so that fingers l8, H! are again in newspaper holdingposition and fingers l9, 19 in their retracted position.

'During the tilting of rocker plate BS- -induced by the operator pullingdown lever 'Ilhook I2 is closed and the fingers member '61 also has beentilted, so the hook-end will slightly engage over the pin or rod 56secured to the depending flanges 55 of the bottom 52 of the coin pocket5|, thereby causing the bottom 52 to be tilted about its pivot 53allowing the coin or coinsv to drop down into the receptacle 18. As soonas the coin or coins are released from the pocket 5|, the balancemechanismythrough the action of the counterweight 58,"will be returnedto normal position; and the-,pull-lever ll withthe rocker plate 69 andits; associated elements, including the delivery door :IZ, will bereturned to normal position through the action of spring 12. The returnof the delivery door I2 causes member 25 to be returned to the positionshown in Figure 3 where the tips of fingers-l8 again will be inposi-ti'onxto hold the foremost paper or magazine from "movement off ofslideways I 3, l3 toward the. delivery opening, while-fingers I9, l9will be jretracted and in position to pass upward between the foremostand next succeeding newspaper or magazine as heretofore described.

"It isapparent that my improved machine not only provides for the use ofa coin or coins of preselected dimensions through adjustment bythe-vendor of the coin receiving slots, but also requires the use of acoin or coins of the required gram weight, thus affording adequateproduction to the vendor; at the same time my improved machine permitsready adjustment to be made by the vendor to adapt the machine tonewspapers or magazines of different thickness and selling at adifferent price.

I have illustrated what I believe to be a desirable embodiment of myinvention which has been described in terms employed for purposes ofdescription and not as terms of limitation, as structural modificationsare possible and may be made without, however, departing from the spiritof my invention.

What I claim is:

l. A machine of the character described comprising a casing providedwith a newspaper or magazine holding compartment having a dischargeopening in the bottom adjacent one end; a closure member for saidopening; means whereby the newspapers or magazines are constantly urgedtoward said opening; means mounted in the casing adjacent the dischargeopening and movable into and out of the path of the newspapers ormagazines for holding the latter at the opening, a portion of said meansbeing adapted to move into the path of the succeeding newspaper ormagazine when the other portion of said means moves out of the path ofthe foremost newspaper or magazine; means whereby the spacing betweenthe two portions of said last mentioned means may be regulated to thethickness of the newspapers or magazines; spring controlled means,operable from the casing exterior, having link connection with theclosure member, whereby the latter is operated and normally held inclosed position; and coin controlled latch mechanism tiltably mounted inthe casing and normally holding said last mentioned means againstoperation, said latch mechanism being adapted to tilt out of holdingposition through the action of an inserted coin.

2. In a machine of the character described, a casing adapted to holdfolded newspapers or magazines on edge and provided with a dischargeopening in its bottom adjacent the forward end thereof; a closure memberfor said opening; vertically tiltable members arranged adjacent thedischarge opening, in the path of movement of the newspapers ormagazines whereby the latter are retarded in their movement toward saidopening, said tiltable members being arranged in pairs and the pairsadjustably spaced from each other in the direction of movement of thepapers or magazines; lever mechanism adapted to be operated by saidclosure member and having operative connection with all of said tiltablymounted members whereby one pair of said members is tiltedout of thepath of the foremost paper or magazine while the other pair of membersis tilted into the'path of the succeeding paper or newspaper; anexternally operable spring controlled lever having link connection atits inner end with the closure member whereby the latter is controlled;and coin controlled latch mechanism whereby the lever is normally heldagainst operation. l

3. In a machine of the character described,

a chamber adapted to hold newspapers or maga-' zines on edge so as toslide horizontally, said chamber having a delivery opening in its bottomadjacent one end thereof; means whereby the newspapers or magazines areunder constant pressure toward said opening; a downwardly opening doorfor said opening; a plurality of newspaper or magazine controllingfingers tiltably mounted in the bottom of said chamber adjacent saiddelivery opening, saidfingers being arranged in pairs and the pairsarranged in adjustable spaced relation and adapted to alternately tiltinto and out of newspaper and magazine holding position when the door isoperated; means operatively associated with said fingers and with saiddoor whereby one pair of said fingers is tilted out of holdingengagement with the foremost paper or magazine and the other pair offingers tilted into holding engagement with the succeeding paper ormagazinewhen the door' is operated; means whereby the spacing betweenthe pairs of fingers may be adjusted to newspapers or magazines of,

different thickness; a lever for operating'said door; and coincontrolled latch mechanism for normally holding the lever againstoperation.

4. Ina machine of the character described, a chamberfor holdingnewspapers or magazines on edge and having ,a discharge opening in itsbottom at one end; means for urging the papers or magazines toward saidopening; a door for said opening normally held in closed position; aspring controlled lever, operable from the chamber exterior, having linkconnection with said door whereby the latter may be opened; a pluralityof newspaper or magazine controlling fingers tiltably mountedintermediate of their ends adjacent to said opening, said fingers beingarranged'in spaced apart groups and the groups being operatively.vconnected with the door whereby 'toalternately tilt into holdingposition when the door is operated, the fingers of one group tilting outof holding engagement with the foremost paper or magazine while thesecond group tilts into holding engagement with the succeeding pa-' peror magazine when the door is operated; regulable means whereby thespacing between the two groups of fingers may be regulated to thethickness of the newspapers or magazines; and coin controlled latchmechanism for normally holding the lever against operation.

5. A machine of the character described, comprising a casing adapted tohold a plurality of newspapers or magazines on edge and having a.discharge opening in its bottom; a downwardly swinging door for saidopening; means whereby the newspapers or magazines are constantly urgedtoward said opening; a plurality of vertically tiltable fingerspivotally mounted intermediate of their ends and arranged adjacent thedischarge opening, said fingers being arranged in pairs and the fingersof each pair being disposed in opposite directions, the pairs beingspaced apart in the direction of movement of the papers or magazines;a-rocker bar operatively connected at its ends with the fingers of thetwo pairs whereby the freeends of the fingers of one pair are tiltedupwardly while the free ends of the fingers of the other pair are tilteddownwardly; means whereby the rocker bar is actuated through movement ofthe door; a lever operable from the casing exterior and having linkconnection with said door; and coin controlled latch mechanism wherebythe lever and said link mechanism are held against movement.

WALLACE C. RICE.

